Gaja
Located in Piedmont in north-western Italy, the GAJA winery is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, producing coveted and collectible labels. The story of the GAJA Winery can be traced to a singular, founding purpose: to produce original wines with a sense of place which reflects the tradition and culture of those who made it. This philosophy has inspired five generations of impeccable winemaking. GAJA is a pioneer and guardian of tradition, a legacy that continues to reshape the standard for excellence in the world of winemaking today.
Angelo Gaja was the first to produce single vineyard wines in Piedmont and revolutionized wine making practices in the region, introducing Bordeaux varietals and the use of barriques. GAJA has led Barbaresco to international acclaim and brought about a resurgence of Italian wines more broadly.
The Gaja family settled in Piedmont (northwest Italy) in the mid-seventeenth century. Five generations of Gajas have been producing wines in Piedmont’s Langhe hills since 1859, the year Giovanni Gaja, a local grape grower, founded the GAJA Winery in Barbaresco.
Giovanni’s son, Angelo (grandfather of today’s Angelo Gaja), was blessed with ambition and vision. Clotilde Rey, whom he married in 1905, inspired him to establish the tradition to which the Gajas have adhered ever since – total dedication to uncompromising quality.
Angelo and Clotilde’s son, Giovanni, continued to follow the high standards his parents had set, producing Barbarescos that were renowned throughout Italy. Thanks to his Barbaresco, the winery’s flagship, Gaja wines achieved a leadership position in Italy. Giovanni increased vineyard holdings, acquiring Sorì Tildìn, Costa Russi, Sorì San Lorenzo and Darmagi, thereby permitting the Gaja family to produce wines of the highest quality exclusively from its own vineyards.
Giovanni’s son, Angelo, joined the Winery in 1961 and combined his respect for the traditions of the Langhe with bold innovations in the vineyards and the cellars. He also introduced GAJA wines to foreign markets.
Today, Angelo lives in Barbaresco with his wife Lucia and their three children, Gaia, Rossana, and Giovanni who represent the fifth generation.